Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24103, Oliver Eager, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Eager, Oliver Seraphina
No. 24103
CONTENTS

4669.
Massachusetts
Oliver Rager
of Worcester in the State of (Mass) who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col Ward in the (Mass) line for 1 year
Set. to O. Peters Ap. 22. 1836. Do. to Hon. W. Jackson H.R. & P. Ap. May 21. 1836 -
Inscribed on the Roll of (Mass) at the rate of 10 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Jan'y 1833 and sent to J. G. Kendall At of Reps Arrears to 4th of Dec 1832 $ 60 ~ Pemi=ant. allowance ending 21 Dec 33 - 20 ~
$ 80 ~
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. B. Clerk, Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 48.

400.
Massachusetts.
Sarah Eager widow of Oliver Eager Mass who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Reported
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of June 1848 and sent to
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 25 Vol. 2

Declaration of Christensen
18758

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this Second day of October in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty five personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Paine Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting Oliver Eager a resident of Northborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
(About the first of January 1776 he enlisted into the said service for one year. He went from Northborough that part of Northborough now called Northborough to Dorechester Mass where he remained until the first of April 1776. He then marched to Providence R.I. thence to New London Conn thence by water to New York City where he remained until about the 15th of Sept. when the American Troops left said city. From that time until the close of his said term of enlistment he was not stationed long at any place - generally retreating until he was discharged - which was by verbal orders -)
12 mrs. See Deposition of his daughter
He served during said year under the following named officers - Capt. Daniel Barnes } Col. Jonathan Wain 1st Lt. William Boyd } Lt. Col. Pepper 2d Lt. Col. James Hunt } Maj. Josiah Hays Ensign Harry Brigham
He was born in that part of Northborough now called Northborough Worcester Co. Mass - May 16. 1759. He was living in said Northborough when called into service, & has lived there ever since. He enlisted voluntarily into said service. He cannot state the names of any officers other than those above mentioned - and he has above stated the general circumstances of said service - He was not in any battle during said term. He never received any written discharge. In answer to the 7th question put by the court he will state the following names - Joseph Pierce Nathaniel Bartlett Joseph Davis
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Nathl Paine Judge of Probate in the County of Worcester
Oliver Eager

We Joseph Allen a Clergyman residing in the town of Northborough and Cyrus Gale residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Oliver Dyer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Martin L. Shaw for the peace Martin L. Shaw Justice of the peace
Joseph Allen Cyrus Gale
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joseph Allen who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Northborough and that Cyrus Gale who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
NATH STURGE Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Joseph Wheeler Register , Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Oliver Dyer for a pension. That Martin L. Shaw, before whom the annexed affidavit was made, is a Justice of the peace in the said County in good credit & has subscribed the same IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court this second day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two
Joseph Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate in the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

"These certify that Oliver Eager and Seraphina Martyn both of Northborough were married June nineteenth, seventeen hundred eighty five, by the Rev Peter Whitney, minister of the gospel in Northborough."
"Oliver Eager died November sixth A.D. eighteen hundred thirty five, aged seventy six years"
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record of marriages and of deaths from the records of the town of Northborough, County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the exception of the dates, & of the age of the said Oliver Eager. The date of the marriage is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures as follows "June 19 th 1785" and the date of the death is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "November 6 th A.D. 1835" - and the age is expressed in fair legible figures as follows - "aged 76 years"
Martin L. Stone
I Martin L. Stone, aforesaid, depose and say, that I hold the office of clerk of said town of Northborough, & that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exceptions aforesaid as certified by me.
Martin L. Stone
Town Clerk of Northborough,
November 15.
1838
Sworn before me, Prentiss Mayes Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss.
On this second day of September A.D. 1838, personally appeared before the Judge of Probate of Wills &c for said County, Hannah Eager a resident of Northborough in said County aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows:"
That she is the widow of Oliver Eager, late of said Northborough deceased, who was a private in the Army of the United States in Capt. Barnes's Company & Col. Ward's Regiment for the term of eleven months or more according to her best belief, but that she is unable to produce at this time any evidence from living witnesses of said service, but she refers for proof of such service to the records & files of the War Department, her said husband having been placed upon the pension list, under the provisions of the act passed June 7. 1832, entitled "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution" under which he was entitled to receive forty six dollars per year, as by his certificate, dated January 25. 1833, will appear, which said certificate the said claimant has, not in her possession, the same having been returned to the files of the War Department upon the decease of her said husband.
She further declares that she was married to the said Oliver Eager on the nineteenth day of June, seventeen hundred eighty five, that her husband the aforesaid Oliver Eager died on the sixth day of

November, eighteen hundred thirty five; That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred ninety four, at the time above stated - and that she has not been married since his death.
Then to come to the date
on the day of our
year also written Josephine & Eager before me
much Mr. Barton judge of the Court of Probate for same County
I Sarah Eager of Northborough in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, wife of Asahel Eager, do affirm and say that my husband is the son of Asahel Eager late of said Northborough deceased and Josephine Eager his wife. Father Eager died some three years ago some next November. but said Mother Eager still survives him; his wife as soon has not been married since the death of her husband. Sarah Eager
Commonwealth of Massachusetts county of Sept 17. 1838. Then to life and to certify that said affidavit is a true copy of truth
Mr. Barton judge of Probate for same County

16 758
Silver Basher
Phwals
1 year
adm
$20m
Wm. J. G. Kendall
HR

16 7 58  BRIEF in the case of Oliver Cager  County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? _____  3. How old is he? 73  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     enlisted In 1776 8 th Jany. 1 Private Gen. Capt. Daniel Barnes, Col. S. Ward, Major Isaiah Paine.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Northborough City Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional, & a witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk.  Jany. 22 1833.

 Rev  WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 24103  Josephine Eager  Wid of  Oliver Eager  Pris Rev war.
Act: Feb 2 d 48 Index:—Vol. A , Page 208
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I James Longley of Boylston in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 78 years, on oath depose & say, that the statement of Oliver Eager of Northborough in said County relative to his services in the revolutionary war for one year from about the first of January 1776 at Dorchester, Providence, New London, the City of New York &c - in Capt Daniel Barnes' Company & the Regiment of Col. Jonathan Ward has been read to me - and I declare the same to be true, as I was personally acquainted with the said Eager during the said Term, belonged to the same company and served in the same during the said term - I further state that at the expiration of said term the said Eager was honorably discharged from the said service -
James Longley
Worcester ss. Aug: 16. 1832 -
Then the abovenamed James Longley made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed - and I certify that the said deponent is well known to me and is a credible witness -
Martin L. Shaw - Justice of Peace

2
2.362
Massachusetts Sophia Cager widow of Oliver Cager decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 6th November 1835 of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ward in the _____ line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Feb 1839 and sent C. G. Pension Worcester Mass. Arrears to the 14th of Mar. 39, $120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 15 Sept. 20.00 $140.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 1st Page 85

Massachusetts 3406 Seraphina Eager widow of Oliver Eager who was a Private in the Massachusetts line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Fifty Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the Seventh day of December 1843 and sent to Thomas Rasmussen Boston Mass
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1 Page 41

Mar 30
Hon. James S. Edwards Commr of Pensions War Department Washington City
Dorea, Roper, Hulda, Taunton,
1021530155

MS onester (Maj) March 26. 1839.
Dear Sir,
Since Sept. 17 th I have forwarded to you between 30 & 40 applications for Pensions which I have not yet heard from.
The applicants are very frequently calling on me for their certificates. I tell them to be patient. But, is it not time that some of them were attended to?
The applications of Dorcas Roper & of Huldahainter are among the oldest that I have sent & not yet heard from.
Respectfully your obed t Servant. Chas. G. Prentiss.
Hon. J. S. Edwards.

Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington City -

Hon. James L. Edwards.
In the case of Oliver Eager, Pensioner, "a paper bearing my proper signature, certified to be such by the Clerk of a Court of Record" to wit, the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. for the County of Worcester, was filed with the agent Bank at Boston, at the time the papers were presented there for the payment of the arrear of the pension then due; also that I was legally authorized to act as a Magistrate."
I am not assured what is necessary to remove the other objection stated in yours of 22 nd ult. to wit, that "more than ninety days have elapsed since the power of Attorney was executed." The Amt. due Mr. Eager on the 4 th March A.D. 1835 was in fact paid him by the agent Bank; the money was delivered to me by Charles Whitmore, the Attorney authorized by the Power to receive it, and I paid it to Eager & took his rec d . Therefore in fact therefore the money went to its proper destination.
Since the pay mt . above made Mr. Eager has deceased, and his son, the only surviving child applies for the Amt. of pension accrued since the payment to March 4 th 1835, and prior to the Pensioner's

decree. - But this cannot be procured, until the De- partment shall credit the Nat. Bank for the amt. paid prior to Mar. 4. 1835.
If this statement is insufficient, will you inform Hon. W m Jackson, Mem. House of Rep. what further is required, that the additional evi- dence or vouchers, if any are required, may be furnished you.
Very respectfully yours &c.
Orslow Peters
Washington City Gadsby's Hotel May 16. 1836.

Wessonville Mass
April 16
Apr 20 Adin Eager map with
free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com te of Pensions Washington D.C.

Wethersfield Mass. April 15. 1836-
Dear Sir. I send you herewith the original certificate of Abner Dyer of Northborough Mass. a soldier of the Army of the Revolution. Also the papers which were sent to the Bank at Boston which is the orgt. for paying pensions. I was recently informed at the Bank, that the payment was not allowed to the Bank from the Pension Office, and requested to trans- mit the enclosed papers, in order that it may be done. I was not informed, or if informed at the Bank, have forgotten it, that any further or other authority would be required at the Pension Office, than an exhibit of the origin- al certificate. If any thing further is required it can be furnished. By the enclosed papers, you will perceive that I purchased his certificate & (admitted) the said De. Mr. Dyer having been long personally known to me I would of course certify that he was the person mentioned in the certificate.

Please return the certificate to me, or wherever may be necessary in order to effect the desired object -
Hon. J. L. Edwards. Very respectfully yours, Orlow P. Davis

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Oliver Eager
which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? a witness XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss.
On this second day of May eighteen hundred and forty eight personally appeared before Andrew Rice, a justice of the Peace in and the County aforesaid, Josephine Lazer, a resident of Northborough in said County aged eighty one years. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2 d of February 1845. Granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Oliver Lazer, who was a private in the Militia & Continental Service for the town of Northborough aforesaid, and that she has received a pension of forty dollars per annum, under the act of June 17 th 1844, and she further declares that she is still a widow. her
Witness Anson Rice
Serafina X Eager Mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written; and I certify that the declarant above named is personally known to me, a widow and a revolutionary pensioner as she declares.
Wilson Reine Justici of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 9 th 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Master Rice was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W B E. Shaw
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
W. B. Shaw Justice of the Peace
attested
3406

3817
Seraphina Eager
3406
41
$40 per an
Thos Bulfinch Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County, } ss.
Be it known that on this twenty third day of August 1843, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and Commonwealth Mrs. Seraphina Eager a resident of Northborough in the County of Worcester aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act, of Congress passed on the 3 rd day of March 1843, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Oliver Eager who was a Private in the Revolutionary War and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the Act of the 7 th July 1838, to which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services for the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of Forty Dollars per annum which amount she received from the 4 th of March 1836, to the 4 th March 1841, at the agency in Boston Massachusetts and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under said Act, to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband but is now, and ever since has been the Widow of said Oliver Eager deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
And further she saith not
Sarah Eager } witnesses Caroline Pitkin
Seraphina her  X Eager mark

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first within written and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described.
Before me
Nathaniel Fisher, Justice of the Peace
I Abner M. Brigham of Northborough in the County of Worcester of lawful age on oath testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Sophia Eager the applicant named in the within declaration for many years last past. I know that she was the wife and is now the Widow of Oliver Eager deceased who was reputed to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War and that she was a pensioner under the law of 7th July 1833 as stated by her.
A. M. Brigham
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County } ss. Aug. 23. 1843.
Then came Abner M. Brigham who is known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is strictly true
Before me
Nathaniel Fisher, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 24. 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Nathan Fisher was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. A. Dilling
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

1811 Seraphina Sawyer
Wid of Oliver
Mass
Oct 27 1838
Manna 1785
Dec 10 1835
Allan 840 pm
am
C. G. Prentiss Worcester Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss.
I, Charles H. Prescott, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Mr. Barton is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is genuine and true.
I further certify, that Prescott Keyes is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is genuine and true.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this eighteenth day of September, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Chas. H. Prescott, Register